Working out of state

Ohio’s workers’ compensation law covers Ohio employees who temporarily work out of state through Ohio’s existing extraterritorial coverage provisions.

Each state has its own coverage requirements for workers compensation. Some states require coverage (other than Ohio's coverage) for any employee working in their state, no matter how briefly, or the employer could face penalties, fines or even stop-work orders.

Ohio's workers' compensation coverage does cover Ohio employees who temporarily work out of state. This happens through Ohio's extraterritorial coverage, which is a part of having active workers' compensation coverage with BWC.

Extraterritorial coverage means Ohio employees are covered as part of the Ohio workers' compensation coverage when working temporarily outside of Ohio. There is no set limit of time the Ohio extraterritorial coverage applies to employees working temporarily outside Ohio, so long as the work remains incidental to the Ohio employment.

Confirmation of coverage letter
For states that recognize BWC's coverage, we've developed a confirmation of coverage letter. It explains that an Ohio employee is covered under Ohio's workers' compensation policy when temporarily working out of state. Click here to see a sample of the letter.

Other states coverage

Any time an employee leaves Ohio, there is still a risk the employer's BWC extraterritorial coverage will not be sufficient. That's why Ohio provides an optional Other States Coverage policy. This optional policy:

Prevents workers' compensation coverage gaps.

Protects you from penalties and stop-work orders in other states.

Provides peace of mind for you and your workers at an affordable rate.

We work with United States Insurance Services and Zurich Insurance to offer this optional coverage to employers who may face financial exposure while working outside Ohio.

Eligibility requirements
Below are our initial guidelines to determine if you’re eligible for an Other States Coverage policy. You must:

Have active coverage with BWC.

Have coverage lapses that do not exceed 40 cumulative days in the last 12 months.

No past due balances.

Report two-thirds of total payroll in Ohio for all related business operations.

Have demonstrated consistent business performance and a commitment to workplace safety.